Three additional clubs are now providing the Club Skill Acquisition Program.

More clubs joining the Skill Acquisition Program

May 06, 2017

Football West News

The Club Skill Acquisition Program (SAP) has doubled in size for 2017 with three additional clubs now providing their players with extra training sessions throughout the year.

Armadale, Cockburn City and Perth SC will run an in-house SAP for selected players within their U9-U12 age groups. Other clubs currently running SAP are Balcatta, Rockingham City and Sorrento.

SAP’s provide children with the platform to develop technical skills outlined in the Football Federation Australia National Curriculum. The training program focuses on developing the four core skills of 1v1, running with the ball, striking the ball and first touch.

Perth SC U6-U11 Technical Director Daniel Buhagiar said he wanted to get the club involved in SAP because he saw a difference in the way the game is played now, compared to during his playing days.

“I was obsessed with ball technique which allowed me to excel in the game,” he said.

“There is a high lack of technique that is present with players at the moment, and insufficient ball mastery which has led to poor technique and poor performance of individuals and teams.

“I think the program will benefit the players as we provide an emphasis on ball mastery and simplifying the game for players.”

Armadale NPL Technical Director John Warrington designed the sessions for his club and said 14 players aged eight to 10 had signed up to start the program, including four girls.

“We wanted to offer the local junior players an extra weekly skills session, which will complement their team sessions and improve their skill level to take back into their team training each week,” he said.

“We feel that there is a lack in the four core skills for players coming through to under 12s in our area and we plan to address this through the Program.

“We hope to expand the SAP in term three to add 10 –12 year olds and also cater for 13 –14 year olds in the future.”